Théophile de Viau (1590–1626)

Translated by Edmund Gosse

I’VE kissed thee, sweetheart, in a dream at least,

And though the core of love is in me still,

This joy, that in my sense did softly thrill,

The ardour of my longing hath appeased,

And by this tender strife my spirit, eased,

Can laugh at that sweet theft against thy will,

And, half consoled, I soothe myself, until

I find my heart from all its pain released.

My senses, hushed, begin to fall on sleep,

Slumber, for which two weary nights I weep,

Takes thy dear place at last within mine eyes;

And though so cold he is, as all men vow,

For me he breaks his natural icy guise,

And shows himself more warm and fond than thou.